The biggest games to conclude a very entertaining, chaotic 2023 NCAA Football season is here. We have ourselves a lot of great bowl games which lead up to the National Championship game. The college football playoff was assembled a few weeks ago and now it’s time to pick some winners. Notable bowl games with powerhouse programs, which have fans glued to their television.
December 27, 2023: DIRECTV Holiday Bowl
(18) Louisville vs USC
The headline in this game will be Lincoln Riley’s future as head coach for USC. A disappointing 7-5 record after finishing 10-2 in 2022 and star quarterback Caleb Williams sitting out, look for Louisville to give USC a bad bowl game loss. Louisville will lean heavily on their defense to get their win. I believe the Cardinals will keep it low scoring and peck their beaks against USC. Louisville 28 USC 21
December 28, 2023: Valero Alamo Bowl
(14) Arizona vs (12) Oklahoma
The last stand with Oklahoma in the Big-12 Conference before making the leap to a tougher SEC in 2024, Boomer Sooner will look to knockout Arizona. With the Wildcats stingy defense, the Sooners will need quarterback Dillon Gabriel to play mistake free football for a big win. Arizona had one of the better defenses in the PAC-12 and finished the season on a five game win streak. Zona’s offense can go up and down the field against any team. Look for Oklahoma to be in a cage match against Arizona as this will be tight until the final whistle. Arizona 42 Oklahoma 34
December 29th, 2023: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
(9) Missouri vs (7) Ohio State
A resurgence of Missouri football propelled the Tigers to a 10-2 record in a tough SEC. Winning four out of their last five games with a loss to Georgia, the Tigers look to cap off a great season win over Big 10 runner-up Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been successful during the regular season; but haven’t beat Michigan in Day’s tenure. This isn’t on the level of Michigan vs Ohio State, but the Tigers don’t need motivation. Ohio State will need their best display in Marvin Harrison Jr’s last game as a Buckeye. A very up and down game; Missouri sneaks out of Jerry World with a big bowl win over THEE OHIO STATE. Missouri 35 Ohio State 31
Saturday December 30th 2023 Chick-Fil-A Bowl
(11) Ole Miss vs (10) Penn State
A classic showdown of two premiere programs in their respected conferences. Ole Miss had a strong finish in SEC play; winning 4 of 5 to end their schedule. Led by junior quarterback Jaxson Dart, the Rebels high potent offense could present a problem for Penn State. Far as the Nittany Lions, another season of semi disappointment for head coach James Franklin. With losses to Michigan and Ohio State, Penn State needs this win for moral purposes. One of the better defenses in the Big 10, they’ll have to slow down the Rebels speed and keep it close. The Nittany Lions claw the Rebels in a nail biter. Penn State 31 Ole Miss 24
Capital One Orange Bowl
(8) Georgia vs (5) Florida State
Well… Well… Well… This will be one of the more entertaining matchups of the New Year’s Six Bowl games. SEC runner-up Georgia barked their way to Miami, Florida to take on ACC Champion Florida State. All the adversity and controversy as to Florida State being left out of the college football playoff will be the headline. FSU star quarterback Jordan Travis won’t be playing due to a lower leg injury. The Seminoles will be outmatched and will have to lean on the defense to keep it very close. Georgia, who’s dominant offense and defense will be too much for Florida State to overcome in what’ll be “Who’s the better team between the two and should’ve been playoff bound?” Georgia will go back to Athens with a full bowl, while Florida State regroups for 2024. Georgia 42 Florida State 21
Monday January 1, 2024: Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
(23) Liberty vs (8) Oregon
This one to me will be very exciting as Liberty from the C-USA takes on Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. Undefeated Liberty is seeking their first major bowl win over a power five conference. First year head coach Jamey Caldwell looks to cement the Flames in NCAA College Football history. Led by sophomore quarterback Kaidon Salter, the Flames averaged 40.8 points per game this season. A balance of run and pass will benefit the Flames against Oregon’s defense. The Ducks fly in with a chip on their wings, as they look to get back on track before entering a stacked Big Ten conference in 2024. This will be the gem bowl game as fans will know more about Liberty’s football program and getting a big win over a power five conference. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix looks to send the Ducks flying home with a Fiesta Bowl victory. This will be a tick for tack game, and I fully expect Liberty to prevail against Oregon. Liberty 41 Oregon 35
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
(17) Iowa vs (21) Tennessee
A tale of two programs with high hopes felt more like a slugfest just to finish the 2023 season strong. The Hawkeyes of Iowa soar into with some momentum against the Vols of Tennessee. Iowa and its low scoring affairs managed to hit 41 points earlier in the season. Defensively, they’ve allowed roughly 13 points per game. You can say they’re the best defense in the nation. Not to mention, Iowa is the Pittsburgh Steelers of college football. Conservative and defensive minded; won’t blow you away with high scoring. They’ll have to score more than 20 points to beat UT, who can score in bunches. In the end, Tennessee will be more than what the Hawkeyes can fly around. Give me a big bowl of UT orange. Tennessee 38 Iowa 17
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl:
(4) Alabama vs (1) Michigan
Alright ladies and gentlemen, boys, and girls of all ages. Step right up and get your tickets for the Rose Bowl in beautiful Pasadena, California. The two programs we all wanted to see battle for a spot in the national championship. Alabama returns to the playoff as SEC Champions with a very impressive win over SEC East foe Georgia. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban will have this team ready to play. Despite an early season loss to Texas, Alabama weathered the storm and rolled their way through SEC play. With quarterback Jalen Milroe playing supremely well, the challenge of leading the Tide back to the national championship comes with sacrifice. Michigan, who faced their adversity midway through the season went undefeated and won the Big 10 Championship. Even with head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended for three games, it made the Wolverines mentally prepared for the bigger picture. Expect this game to be rather tight; whichever quarterback can avoid mental mistakes and control the pace at the line of scrimmage will win. It’s the matchup college football fans wanted; we’ll be in for a wild ride. Expect this game to be a battle of the defenses, low scoring, and a dramatic finish. Michigan 31 Alabama 24
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
(3) Texas vs (2) Washington
You wanted a quality matchup in the second semi-final? Well, you got it folks! Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana; home of gumbo, Mardi Gras and one of the tougher domes to play football. Texas will make a short trip to the city shaped like a boot as Big-12 Champions. Their first appearance in the playoff since the inception of a four team format. With a midseason loss to rival Oklahoma, the Longhorns hooked every team in their conference. Texas football has seen its share of head coaches roam through before landing Steve Sarkisian to take the Horns to greener pastures. Sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers will have to play his best game to lead Texas to the national title game.
Washington Huskies bark their way to the playoff with an undefeated record and PAC-12 Champions. With their final season in a diminishing conference, the Huskies will make the switch and emerge with the Big-10 in 2024. Led by Heisman finalist quarterback Michael Penix Jr, the Huskies will need to prove their undefeated season wasn’t a fluke by default. Playing in a semi-strong PAC-12 Conference will likely be their undoing on the big stage. Flying down south from the pacific northwest will have some mental barriers to overcome. Will the pressure of being on this stage hurt the young Huskies? Can they make one more bite and trot to the national championship? Texas has played in bigger games and been through the trenches. Washington’s stage fright for this show will rear its ugly head and force them to find shelter. Up and down game, but Texas will prevail. Texas 38 Washington 20
Join me in the days to come as the chase for a national championship unfolds. Who’ll be playing in the college football national championship game January 8th, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas?
Stai tuned…
